10 Things We've Learned From Microsoft's Partner Conference

Don Reisinger

1. The Cloud Means EverythingMicrosoft CEO Steve Ballmer made it clear that the cloud is key to the future. Ballmer discussed Windows Azure and Office 365, the cloud-based productivity suite the company launched. All the while, he made it clear to his company's partners that if they want to work with Microsoft, they will need to embrace the cloud as much as it has.

At Microsoft's Partner Conference this week, the software giant discussed several different aspects of its business, and how the company might be able to work better with its channel partners to extend its presence around the globe. For the most part, much of the discussion was expected, including Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's talk on the cloud and Windows Phone 7. However, there were still quite a few things that spectators and those that have been watching the conference from a keynote could learn about Microsoft and where it believes it's heading in the coming months and years. Here's a look at what Microsoft revealed about itself and its future plans.

Don Reisinger is a freelance technology columnist. He started writing about technology for Ziff-Davis' Gearlog.com. Since then, he has written extremely popular columns for CNET.com, Computerworld, InformationWeek, and others. He has appeared numerous times on national television to share his expertise with viewers. You can follow his every move at http://twitter.com/donreisinger.